I need Help!!

[Missymoo]

Hi everyone, I'm newbie parrot owner I'm going to be owning my first indian ringneck in a few weeks time which I'm going to hand raise as the breeders suggested.

I've heard many different opinions on getting a brooder setup going but would love opinions or ideas if you would like to share.

Also what are the pros and cons to spoon feeding? Some people syringe feed, what's the difference?

Kind regards
Ash

All the way from New Zealand

 

[SilverSage]

Please don't do this. Please find a breeder that actually cares about their babies. Please don't support the cruel and irresponsible practice of selling unweaned babies.

Look, I'm a breeder. An IRN breeder in fact. I love them and I love raising them. But there are hundreds of problems that can arise while hand feeding even for a professional, and many of them are deadly. On my mind there is no way to justify breeders selling unweaned babies (especially ones so young they still need a brooder!!) with all the risks involved. They do it for one reason; MONEY.

When you, the buyer, take that baby so young YOU acquire all the expense and risk involved with raising that baby, and the breeder gets an early paycheck.

The idea that you will bond more deeply with the bird if you raise it is a LIE. Take it from someone who has not just experience raising my own babies, but experience with this exact species. It is a FLAT OUT LIE. Sure you CAN have a great relationship if you raise the bird, but it can actually be HARDER to bond because the bird sees you as a parent figure, not a buddy or mate figure.

Also it's really easy to mentally and emotionally damage baby birds, especially IRNs, during weaning and fledging, and to not even realize you've done anything wrong until they hit sexual maturity.


Basically; please don't buy an unweaned baby. It supports unethical breeders, endangers the baby, incurs risk and expense (trust me you will NOT save money), and has zero factors in its favor other than imaginary ones. Please find instead an ethical breeder who actually cares about the welfare of their birds and will raise one that is mentally and emotionally healthy for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Missymoo]

Suggestions and opinions

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I'm a soon to be first time Indian ringneck owner, the breeder had suggested that I get the chick at a month old and hand raise to form a stronger bond.

I have been doing alot of research and would love peoples opinions and suggestions on getting a brooder setup going. Many have suggested heat lamps, others have suggested heat pads.

Also what hand formula would you suggest many have recommended kaytees.

Please note I'm in New Zealand so I'm only speaking of resources we have here.

:28:

 

[plumsmum2005]

"Basically; please don't buy an unweaned baby. It supports unethical breeders, endangers the baby, incurs risk and expense (trust me you will NOT save money), and has zero factors in its favor other than imaginary ones. Please find instead an ethical breeder who actually cares about the welfare of their birds and will raise one that is mentally and emotionally healthy for you"

Fully support this message. Please don't do this it makes sense the breeder is going to tell you this, it's a win, win for them and the baby stands to lose it's life in the worst case and you? You stand to lose your baby bird and whatever you paid for it!

 

[SilverSage]

Suggestions and opinions

Neither heat lamps and heat pads are advised. If you are going to take on this task you need to buy the proper equipment such as a proper brooder with heat you can regulate down to fractions of degrees.

I've already told you in your other post how very much I advise you AGAINST this course of action and how it will NOT form a closer bond, but let me go into details on this particular issue.

Heat is the #1 issue in raising a healthy baby. EXACT TEMPERATURE of surroundings and formula. If you cannot monitor and adjust the exact level of heat you run many risks including accidentally cooking the baby alive if it is too warm, or killing them
Through yeast or bacterial infections if it's too cold, among other issues.

And lamps are the worst. It is damaging to a baby that young to be kept under a light. They need darkness to develop naturally.

Any breeder who suggests these things should be abandoned in favor of someone who actually cares about the welfare of their babies.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[plumsmum2005]

Re: Suggestions and opinions

Hope you will take the advice given? Someone has really been giving a brain washing session. Stop! Think!

http://www.parrotforums.com/new-members-welcome/70282-i-need-help.html

Have you actually added up the cost of all the equipment you will supposedly need? It's a bit like buying a partially spray painted car and being told to finish it off yourself????

Something that bothers me is, are there no restrictions on breeders doing this. It seems so very heartless on these poor defenceless baby birds. Maybe it could be checked out in your country with the SPCA (I think)?

 

[wrench13]

Missy Moo, please heed the advice you are getting above, from some of the most experienced parrot owners and even a breeder. If you value a relationship with a young IRN, please take their advice.

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Ash!

I strongly echo and endorse the opinions given. For a first-time companion better to get a fully weaned IRN raised by an ethical and caring breeder.

 

[LordTriggs]

once again please follow everyone's advice here and just don't do it. Walk away and find a different breeder, they're not doing nay of this for your benefit but for their wallet!

Note that in some parts of the world it is illegal to sell unweaned birds, that's how serious it is. All that will most likely happen if you go through with this is you'll end up with a dead baby and your money gone. The breeder won't give you your money back

 

[Kentuckienne]

Hi MissyMoo, I know it can be difficult to trust something you read on the internet vs. something a bird breeder, who must be an expert, tells you in person. But the advice here is good. We've had so many desperate emails from people trying to feed weanlings, babies with sour crop, slow crop, infections, burns, starving...you name it. It's so hard to save a baby once something has gone wrong. And what people here say is true...you can have just as intense a bond, if not more intense, with an older bird. Yes, they are cute when they are fledglings, and adorable as babies. But the risks to their health are high. SilverSage is right ... the only reason for a breeder to sell unweaned babies is that they want the money now, and no risk. Search here for threads about "abundance weaning" to get an idea of what we think is ideal.

The forum members here are experienced, and have seen so much, and don't make any recommendation like this lightly. If you are not convinced, you can ask for more details or information. We care about parrot owners, but the first love is for the parrots themselves, and it's much better for a parrot to be fully weaned by someone who knows what they are doing than to be sent to a first-timer's home to take their chances. It's just a short time to wait, and think of how many wonderful years are in the future! And how much heartache if something is to go wrong!

Hope you don't hate me for not being supportive...my dream is to spend some time in NZ, what a gorgeous place and great people, so I don't want to poison the well!

 

[Missymoo]

Hi everyone,

Just letting you know I have taken all of your advice.
I have decided to purchase from another breeder who will be giving me a fully raised chick.

Thanks for all your honest advice I really appreciate it.

Such a cool forum I will be posting pictures once I receive my Indian ringneck so you all can have a look.

 

[SilverSage]

Can't wait to see your new feather baby!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[itchyfeet]

Me neither....
Another kiwi on the forums, let alone another ringneck owner.
Lol Ash, I'm rather excited for you!

 

[Missymoo]

Great to find another kiwi on here!!
I'm looking forward to having my first bird, hey do you mind me asking what cage would you suggest for my Indian? I'm looking on trademe lol.

Also what toys have you got?

 

[itchyfeet]

You'll want an avione 603 or 604. They're really easy to clean, decent size doors etc.
I find myparrotshop.com.au great for more unusual bird toys, and the username 'fuzzy haven' off trade me is pretty good too. We'd be lost without the foraging wheel, and kebab. They're smart and will yell less at you if they're busy working for food!
Avi One Bird Cage Parrot Cage 604 82x46x152cm | Trade Me
(This is crazy cheap for this cage)
Avi One Rope Twister Parrot Toy | Trade Me
that's what I've screwed into the window above the playgym
BIRD TOY - CAITEC FORAGING BALL LARGE 12CM GREAT FOR PARROTS | Trade Me
these kinds of toys are great IRN toys!

 

[Scott]

Hi everyone,

Just letting you know I have taken all of your advice.
I have decided to purchase from another breeder who will be giving me a fully raised chick.

Thanks for all your honest advice I really appreciate it.

Such a cool forum I will be posting pictures once I receive my Indian ringneck so you all can have a look.

Fantastic, can't wait to hear about your new companion!